Obama to address climate change in speech Tuesday

Jun. 23, 2013
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President Obama / Adam Berry, Getty Images

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

Environmentalists who have been prodding President Obama to address climate change get their answer this week.

Obama announced via video this weekend that he will deliver a climate change speech Tuesday, outlining "a national plan to reduce carbon pollution, prepare our country for the impacts of climate change, and lead global efforts to fight it."

Obama is expected to announce a series of executive actions to address global warming. Congressional legislation is considered unlikely, given the fact that Republicans control the U.S. House and have enough to mount filibusters in the Senate.

One possibility: New restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants, new efficiency standards for energy use, and programs to promote development of renewable energy sources on public lands.

In his video, Obama said: "In my inaugural address, I pledged that America would respond to the growing threat of climate change for the sake of our children and future generations."

Also from the video:

"This Tuesday, I'll lay out my vision for where I believe we need to go -- a national plan to reduce carbon pollution, prepare our country for the impacts of climate change, and lead global efforts to fight it.

"This is a serious challenge -- but it's one uniquely suited to America's strengths.

"We'll need scientists to design new fuels, and farmers to grow them.

"We'll need engineers to devise new sources of energy, and businesses to make and sell them.

"We'll need workers to build the foundation for a clean energy economy.

"And we'll need all of us, as citizens, to do our part to preserve God's creation for future generations -- our forests and waterways, our croplands and snowcapped peaks.

"There's no single step that can reverse the effects of climate change. But when it comes to the world we leave our children, we owe it to them to do what we can.

"So I hope you'll share this message with your friends. Because this a challenge that affects everyone -- and we all have a stake in solving it together.